SMAS rhytidectomy is a facelift surgical procedure that corrects the sagging appearance of the neck and the lower part of the face. The SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) is the layer of the muscles of facial expression in their own connective tissue envelope. It lies beneath the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is one of the most important support structures for the face and neck. The manipulation of this anatomic structure changes the appearance of the face and neck. The surgery is done to change the appearance of sagging skin, excess fat, jowls, and loss of volume in the cheeks.
The effectiveness of the SMAS facelift is 7-8 years.